Community Area

Office XML-Based Files Downloading as ZIP

by
Eric Geier
[Published on 7 April 2011 / Last Updated on 1 Feb. 2010]

Convert a DOCX, PPTX, or XLSX file back to the correct format.

Are you trying to download a DOCX, PPTX, or XLSX, but keep getting a ZIP file?

The problem most likely lies with the web server that you’re downloading the file from. For instance, this can happen if the new file format MIME types aren’t registered by the web server. However, the good news is that this is a very easy fix:

Once the ZIP file is downloaded, change the file extension from .zip back to the correct one, like .docx or .pptx, by renaming the file.

If you don’t see the file extension on the end of the filename, however, you’ll first have to make it appear before you can change it. Open a Windows Explorer or Computer window and open the Folder and Search Options (or in older Windows editions, just called Folder Options.). One the View tab, uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types option.

Featured Links

Online Survey: The Definitive State of Load Balancing and High Availability

MSExchange.org, KEMP Technologies and numerous MSFT and VMware experts worldwide would like to invite you to participate in our confidential 6 question survey on Load Balancing and High Availability. This survey takes about 6 minutes and all participants who wish can leave their email address and register to win a $50 Amazon gift certificate.

The results of this survey will be used to create a white paper on the State of Load Balancing. Everyone who registers will also get a copy of the white paper.